
Giorgia Meloni is officially the new Prime Minister of Italy. But who is Meloni in Italy? With an already long political career in Italy, Giorgia Meloni has been a member of the Chamber of Deputies since 2006, as well as leading the Fratelli d'Italia or FdI (Brothers of Italy) political party since 2014. On top of this, she has also been the president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party since 2020. So with Italy's new prime minister in 2022 and a new era for the country, it's time to find out more about Italy's new PM and her policies: who is Giorgia Meloni and what are her plans?
Giorgia Meloni policies: what are her plans?
After she won the 2022 elections and was sworn in as the first woman Prime Minister in the history of Italy, the recurring question is what will Giorgia Meloni do? The programme of the leader of Fratelli d'Italia is clear, let's find out the main contents point by point: including citizenship income, pensions, flat tax, building bonus, business support and more.
Citizenship income
What Giorgia Meloni will do about citizenship income is quite obvious, the right-winged leader has repeatedly stated her intention to stop the measure, at least in its current format. For the new PM, as well as for the rest of the coalition, it must be abolished and other support tools for the unemployed must be rethought.
In detail, the stop to the citizenship income should leave room for a new measure that protects those with no income and those who are unable to work or difficult to employ, above all: the disabled, the over-60s, and families with dependent children.
It is a different matter, however, for those who find themselves without employment but are able to work. For these categories, Giorgia Meloni's programme envisages training courses and the strengthening of active employment policies. On the table is also the will to establish an unemployment benefit for the self-employed with the same rules as the allowance for employees.
Pensions
The funds earmarked for the citizenship income should also be used to increase minimum and social pensions. This is Fratelli d'Italia's priority on pensions. However, Giorgia Meloni has never spoken openly on the subject of pension reform. The point common to the whole coalition, however, is the overcoming of the Fornero law.
Flat tax
Giorgia Meloni's programme envisages the extension of the flat tax for VAT numbers up to 100,000 euros turnover. Also under consideration is the introduction of the flat tax on the increase in income compared to previous years, so as to guarantee a gradual transition.
Further tax reforms
More generally, the tax issue is central to Giorgia Meloni's programme. The main points touch on the need for an Irpef income tax reform to reduce the pressure on companies and families also through the introduction of the family quotient. Also on the table is the proposal to be able to benefit from the 21 per cent flat rate for the rent of commercial properties in disadvantaged and degraded areas.
It is not ruled out that a debate could be opened to raise the limit on the use of cash for payments and for the 'balance and write-off' for tax bills of up to 3,000 euros for taxpayers in difficulty and, for higher amounts, payment of the entire tax increased by 5% in lieu of penalties and interest, and automatic instalment over 10 years.
Building bonuses
Another hot topic is the superbonus and other building bonuses. Giorgia Meloni's position goes in the direction of reorganising and harmonising the incentives for the redevelopment, safety and energy efficiency of public and private buildings.
Updating the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan)
Italy's recovery plan, according to Giorgia Meloni, should be revised and updated in the light of the crisis triggered by the conflict in Ukraine and the rise in commodity prices. The adjustments should translate into more resources for energy supply and prices so that households and businesses do not have to pay too high a bill.
Cutting the tax wedge
In all likelihood, the Meloni government will focus much of its efforts on cutting the tax wedge, a strategic measure to reduce taxes on labour to support both companies and workers. The first step would be to optimise hiring incentives (in addition to those that already exist) by focusing on a few but effective measures. There is already talk of a super deduction of labour costs for companies wishing to increase the number of employees compared to previous years.